Community Development Funds

The Town of Whitby has two Community Development Funds that provide financial assistance for community groups and individuals within Whitby to help them undertake initiatives that will benefit the community.

Mayor's Community Development Fund

The Mayor's Community Development Fund (MCDF) utilizes net revenue from the Mayor's Golf Tournament and the Mayor's Fundraiser to provide financial support to community groups, events and initiatives that will benefit the community.

Up to 50% of the proceeds raised by the Mayor's Golf Tournament will be awarded to a lead cause or charity and up to 50% of the proceeds raised by the Mayor's Fundraiser will be awarded to another lead cause or charity. The balance will be awarded in smaller community grants of up to $5,000.

Applicants can also request one of the following silent auction item packages:

Performing Arts Community Development Fund

The Performing Arts Community Development Fund (PACDF) utilizes net revenues from the 2008-2012 Mayor's Galas to provide financial support to Whitby based community groups/organizations with a presence in Whitby for performing arts programs, events, initiatives and projects.

Funding is provided for community grants of up to $5,000. Funding of up to $25,000 may be available for exceptional performing arts programs, events, projects or initiatives, including capital.

All applications will receive a formal notice of decision within two months of receipt of application.

Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report within 30 days of completion of the event stating the outcome of the initiative/event and how the grant was used. The Final Report is intended to help you evaluate the initiative and to help us evaluate the effectiveness and impact of our grants on enhancing and strengthening the quality of life in our community

Application Criteria

How the project will benefit the community (scale, inclusivity, direct and indirect benefits);

Soundness of business plan (including resources, own funds and fundraising);

The importance of the Town's contribution; and,

How the success of the project will be determined.

High priority is given to community focused projects, activities and events with a strong local presence;

High priority is given to projects that promote social inclusion and civic engagement within the Whitby community;

One time events that promote the Whitby community are supported;

Capital expenditures may be provided for an established charity that has direct benefit to the Whitby community;

The purchasing of tables at award ceremonies, galas or fundraising events are given low priority;

Providing funding for ongoing operating costs of an organization or charity are given low priority;

Submissions seeking support for a charitable event for another charity are given low priority;

Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate a partnership between two or more community organizations, activities do not unnecessarily duplicate successful efforts that already exist in the community as well as where applicants contribute in the form of financial or in-kind contributions to the grant request;

Preference is given to new initiatives, but a promising program may receive more than one grant provided there is evidence that the program is developing successfully;

Initiatives being supported through other sources and programs are given low priority; and,

The precedent that is set through the support of an application must be considered to ensure equitable funding is sustainable.

Applications are evaluated based on their relative merit and funding in one year does not guarantee funding for a similar initiative or event in the following year.

This is a competitive process, overall funding allocation may be decreased and funding requested by organizations may be decreased or declined.

For programs/services/events/activities that are of a broader regional nature which demonstrate a clear benefit beyond Whitby residents, the applicant should demonstrate their efforts in seeking similar proportionate grants from other benefitting jurisdictions.

Copies of receipts for grant-related expenses are not required to be submitted, but per CRA requirements they should be kept for your own records.

Recipients may be requested to re-pay funds if the actual expenses are less than the approved grant.

Periodically, special consideration for an individual or group within Whitby may be required and the Committee has the ability to consider those based on the above criteria.

Grants Review Committee

The Grants Review Committee is an independent Committee appointed by Council to review and evaluate applications for the Mayor's Community Development Fund and the Performing Arts Community Development Fund. The Grants Review Committee meets once a month if applications are received by the end of the previous month. It consists of four members of the community, the Mayor as a Council representative, and a member of Staff in an advisory role.

The criteria used to evaluate grant applications and make recommendations for grant eligibility is based on how the project will benefit the community (scale, inclusivity, direct and indirect benefits), soundness of business plan (including resources, own funds and fundraising), the importance of the Town's contribution, and how the success of the project will be determined.